HIBS’ summer of rebuilding continued with the capture of Fraser Mullen.

The 19-year-old right-back has signed a one-year deal after being released by financially stricken city rivals Hearts.

With Alan Maybury’s future uncertain and concerns over Tim Clancy’s fitness, a right-back was a top priority and whilst little has been seen of Mullen in terms of first-team football, he is highly-rated and certainly fits the bill.

Moving across the city divide will always prove challenging but it has been done many times in the capital and Mullen follows on from Darren Jackson, Paul Hartley and Maybury himself amongst others to represent both of Edinburgh’s professional teams.

Tom Gardiner has also been added to the Easter Road ranks. The young centre-half joins from Tottenham’s youth team.

Hibs appear well off in the centre-half department with James McPake, Jordon Forster, Paul Hanlon, Ryan McGivern and Clancy all on the books so Gardiner may well be one for the future unless McPake’s injury problems are more serious than feared.

The club captain has gone on record to angrily deny any rumours of a career-threatening injury and summer surgery.

He maintains he has started pre-season training with the rest of the squad culminating in a substitute appearance in a friendly with Dumbarton and more playing time on our tour of Gibraltar and the Algarve.

Hopefully he can get back to the inspirational form of his first season.

It’s also hoped the signing of Gardiner does not impede the development of Forster who finished the season so strongly.

Hibs fans have always appreciated the emergence of young talent so the acquisition of two players can only be a positive.

With the European campaign just over a week away, the lack of attacking signings is still a worry.

Hibs, though, have been linked with resigning Chris Killen. He never had much pace to lose and if fit is exactly the man we need.

Falkirk’s Lyle Taylor has also been mentioned and, having given Hibs a torrid time in the Scottish Cup semi-final last season, he offers a pacy alternative.

Relying only on kids Ross Campbell and Danny Handling for goals next season is a risky strategy despite the pair’s obvious talent.

Hibernian’s pre-season started with the 1-1 draw against Dumbarton.

Debuts were given to Owain Tudur-Jones and Liam Craig and although some impressive play was witnessed, the lack of a cutting edge was evident.

The team then travelled to southern Europe to face UEFA’s newest members and then Nottingham Forest.

Mullen impressed in the 3-1 win over Gibraltar and Tudur-Jones netted in the 2-1 defeat by Forest.

His goal and an impressive stint from another new signing, Liam Craig, were positives in an encounter marred by ugly scenes in the crowd.

The hooliganism associated with Hibernian in the past has thankfully been reduced but such scenes, along with trouble at last season’s cup game in Ayr, is a reminder that it has sadly not been eradicated completely.

Credit to the club for quickly condemning the mindless actions of a small minority of Hibs fans.